Football is a violent sport and an emotional game that is played to win. Youth coaches and youth leagues are dealing with kids with their first exposure to the game. There are a few basic rules that must be discussed before the season starts.

The first thing any football organization must do is to take every reasonable measure to keep injuries at a minimum. This usually starts with equipment, something that should never be scrimped upon. If there isn't enough funds to buy quality and complete uniforms, don't play. A complete uniform consists of:

1. helmet with face guard,
2. athletic supporter with protective cup,
3. shoulder pads,
4. pants with thigh and knee pads,
5. kidney pads,
6. mouthpiece,
7. shoes with soccer type or short cleats,
8. sweat socks,
9. jersey.

Almost as important is the conduct of the game. Most youth football leagues play by high school rules with at least two adult referees who are familiar with the rulebook. In fact, copies of the rule book should be made available to everybody associated with the league as required reading.

There are some aspects of the game that tend to lead to more injuries than other parts. For example, many leagues have instigated additional rules such as:

1. eliminating kickoffs,
2. eliminating blitzes,
3. limiting the number and duration of practices,
4. restricting the number of formations that can be used.

These and other plays that parents and coaches feel the need to eliminate, or control, should be based on the level of experience of the players.

Kickoffs and blitzing, for example, require special practice and depart from pure first-step fundamentals of football. Kickoffs, in particular, seem hard for beginners to handle. For this reason, they should be avoided until players have gained ability in downfield blocking and tackling. It is often easier to make a league rule eliminating them for players up to ten years old, Simply, spot the ball instead on the receiving team's thirty-five yard line.

Red-dogging or blitzing is harder to control, but is sometimes ruled out because of the element of surprise it creates. Restricting red-dogging does not keep a defensive back from reading a play, rushing across the line of scrimmage, and making the tackle in the offensive backfield, but it prevents the defensive back from making a premeditated rush, something that can play havoc with beginner's blocking assignments.

If anyone is worried that in leaving out elements of football play for the kids will be shortchanged, that simply isn't true. At least, in the beginning, they will be having enough trouble handling straight-ahead blocking and tackling, without complicating matters.

There will be plenty of time, later, to add complexity. The less they have to learn, at this age, the easier they learn those valuable fundamentals. Football is a game of reading keys and reacting. The simpler the environment at their beginning, the easier they learn to read and react.

Continue reading: Some thoughts on the coaching philosophy for the parent and youth football coach